KUKU

KU ScholarWorks

  • myKU
  • Email
  • Enroll & Pay
  • KU Directory
    • Login
    View Item 
    •   KU ScholarWorks
    • Dissertations and Theses
    • Dissertations
    • View Item
    •   KU ScholarWorks
    • Dissertations and Theses
    • Dissertations
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Individualism and the role of the individual in British and French socialism : the early years, 1800-1848

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    bush_1969_3781246.pdf (16.22Mb)
    Issue Date
    1969-05-31
    Author
    Bush, Robert D.
    Publisher
    University of Kansas
    Type
    Dissertation
    Degree Level
    Ph.D.
    Discipline
    History
    Rights
    This item is protected by copyright and unless otherwise specified the copyright of this thesis/dissertation is held by the author.
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    Individualism is a topic which·has received but scant treatment by modern scholars, although it is a subject which has prompted a great deal of commentary within the socialist movement itself. There has not been thus far any scholarly attempt to treat this topic as it relates to the Utopian Socialists or the early nineteenth century. The role of' the individual in the writings of' this school of socialist thought is a relatively untouched area of investigation. Although researchers have examined many sources for the term “ individualism,” none of them have used the numerous dictionaries of the period, 1800•1848, to explain their findings further. And, no study has sought to place both of these problems, the origins and history of individualism and the role of the individual, together into one project. As will be developed in the text, these two problems were interrelated for the six thinkers treated below.·

    As·the title indicates, this study has attempted to gather and digest the major thoughts of early nineteenth century British and French socialists on but one main subject:· individualism and the role of' the individual. Specifically this effort involves consideration of several questions. How did each thinker contribute toward the meaning of' the term “individualism” as it finally appeared about mid-century?· In what ways did they view the role of the individual not only under the existing social order, but in their respective alternatives to that order? As writers they faced the dilemma of indicating the rights due to both the collective social body and of each individual in it. How does one secure both the blessings of mankind, and yet realize the wealth drawn from individual spontaneity? What is, therefore, the true social contract? Furthermore, to what extent were these various intellectuals influenced in their decisions by their own national experiences? Clio was subjected to a great many pressures in order to “prove” a number of vastly different social programs. Never, in fact, was there such a pressing concern for the rights of the most numerous and the poorer elements in society. All of the thinkers examined here--Owen, Fourier, Saint-Simon, Proudhon, Cabet and Blanc--were agreed that the existing system of property relations generated and perpetuated a ·morally evil and inefficient social system. Western industrialization had brought, or was .bringing, a social order based upon dehumanization and automatism. Thus, the key question was, to quote Louis Blanc again "how to change it?" Their persistent love of humanity led such intellectuals to seek out the real, not necessarily the true, laws· of nature and history. Such laws, they assumed, existed a priori in the universe.

    It is the thesis of this study that, although the term individualism was used by a number of critics, the application of this term to specific social conditions which ought to be changed came from the pens of the six Utopian Socialists treated here. It was they who provided the main connotations given to individualism by various dictionaries. For this reason, only passing attention has been given to the various schools founded on their behalf. Within the chronological and geographical framework of this study, the writings of the six thinkers examined here constitute the most important sources in the early socialist movement.
    Description
    Ph.D. University of Kansas, History 1969
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/1808/29647
    Collections
    • Dissertations [4474]
    • History Dissertations and Theses [250]

    Items in KU ScholarWorks are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.


    We want to hear from you! Please share your stories about how Open Access to this item benefits YOU.


    Contact KU ScholarWorks
    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    Image Credits
     

     

    Browse

    All of KU ScholarWorksCommunities & CollectionsThis Collection

    My Account

    LoginRegister

    Statistics

    View Usage Statistics

    Contact KU ScholarWorks
    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    Image Credits
     

     

    The University of Kansas
      Contact KU ScholarWorks
    Lawrence, KS | Maps
     
    • Academics
    • Admission
    • Alumni
    • Athletics
    • Campuses
    • Giving
    • Jobs

    The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information in the University’s programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, IOA@ku.edu, 1246 W. Campus Road, Room 153A, Lawrence, KS, 66045, (785)864-6414, 711 TTY.

     Contact KU
    Lawrence, KS | Maps